18 Mar Interview with Grzegorz Mazurek, Rector, Kozminski University
Prisma Reports (PR): How has Kozminski University achieved its rapid sucess?
Grzegorz Mazurek (GM): Through ambition, vision, drive and energy, which stems from the entrepreneurial spirit of the Polish people. Three facts explain what Kozminski is about. Firstly, it is a new school for a new world. Secondly, it is your lifelong development partner: we aren’t just providing education, we are providing development and changing mindsets. Thirdly, we make sure our research is relevant and people see that it makes a difference in their lives.
(PR): How do you drive innovation?
(GM): Innovation means change, change means attitude and attitude comes from example. For instance, an important factor during the pandemic was our partnership with Microsoft, so we were able to provide Microsoft teams to every employee and student. But fundamental to our rapid success was the eagerness of our community to change habits to serve our students.
(PR): How important is social responsibility at Kozminski?
(GM): We are the first Polish school to proclaim its United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: we have chosen six and are implementing them in our strategy. Responsible education means preparing students to serve society. All our students have intensive classes on sustainability ethics and environmental and social responsibility, with hands-on sustainability learning. We also have a vice rector of international relations and environmental and social responsibility. Business schools should set an example, attitude and perspective: we don’t teach, we develop personalities and prepare students for a constantly changing environment.
(PR): How do you ensure your education is real-world relevant?
(GM): We have many intensive collaborations with partners like Microsoft, Oracle, Accenture, Goldman Sachs and McDonalds. They share their knowledge and skills in study programs, and provide internships, case studies, teachers and scholarships. The school is a hub creating genuine value for businesses and students.
Additionally, internationalization is at the core of our identity. Our approach is to create strategic partnerships with the best business schools in Europe and the world. We have a strategic alliance with ESCP Business School and tight bonds with schools and universities in France, Portugal, Ireland and the U.K., countries that have a lot of business connections with Poland.
(PR): Why is Kozminski ideal for executive education?
(GM): We were the first in Poland and second in CEE to launch MBAs in the ’90s, and we are a member of the MBA Consortium of 12 top-class business schools around the globe where students participate in residential weeks. The Polish spirit of entrepreneurship is proven by players like CD Project, Nowy Styl, Inglot, 4F, Assecco and LPP. They are global leaders created by entrepreneurship, ambition and creativity. The same is true with Kozminski. We deliver answers with our education, research, and business and institutional connections. We teach mindset!